State Unclaimed Property in Vermont

State Unclaimed Property in Vermont: key facts

Administering office

Vermont State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division.

Official search

vermont.unclaimedproperty.com (free search and online claims); also searchable across states at missingmoney.com.

Deceased-owner procedure

If probate is open, the property is delivered to the executor or administrator. If the estate is closed and the property is $5,000 or less, it goes per the probate decree or to the surviving spouse or next of kin. Otherwise the claimant opens a probate estate; the probate court may waive the filing fee (27 V.S.A. § 1557).

Payment after approval

After a claim is allowed, the Administrator delivers the property or net proceeds within 30 days (27 V.S.A. § 1555).

Small estate option for heir claims

When the deceased owner's unclaimed property exceeds $5,000 and no probate estate is open, heirs may use Vermont's small estate procedure (14 V.S.A. § 1901) rather than full probate administration, provided the estate consists entirely of personal property and has a fair market value of $45,000 or less. Letters issued under § 1902 are effective for one year. The probate court may waive the filing fee under 27 V.S.A. § 1557.